Patent US4947191A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4947191A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ink jet recording apparatus
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1989-09-21
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-09-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus comprising an ink jet head having plural opening for discharging an ink, partial capping means for covering a part of said plural discharging opening, and suction means for sucking the ink from said part of discharging opening through said partial capping means.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Nozawa
- 👤 Yutaka Koizumi
- 👤 Toshihiro Mori
- 👤 Atsushi Saito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:31
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16505; B41J2/16508; B41J2/16585
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet head having plural openings for discharging ink; partial capping means for covering a part of said plural discharging openings; and suction means for sucking the ink from said part of discharging openings through said partial capping means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet head having plural openings for discharging ink; partial capping means for covering a part of said plural discharging openings; and suction means for sucking the ink from said part of discharging openings through said partial capping means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink jet head comprises liquid paths communicating with said discharging openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said liquid paths are provided with energy generating means for generating energy utilized for the ink discharging, and the direction of ink discharge from said discharging openings is substantially same as the direction of ink supply to the position of said energy generating means in said liquid paths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said liquid paths are provided with energy generating means for generating energy utilized for the ink discharging, and the direction of ink discharge from said discharging openings is different from the direction of ink supply to the position of said energy generating means in said liquid paths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said two directions are substantially perpendicular to each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said ink jet head comprises a common liquid chamber communicating with said liquid paths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said ink jet head comprises a supply pipe communicating with said common liquid chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said supply pipe is provided with a filter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said liquid paths are provided with energy generating means for generating energy utilized for the ink discharging.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said energy generating means is adapted to generate thermal energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said energy generating means is an electro-thermal converting element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said electro-thermal converting element comprises a heat generating resistor and electrodes connected thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said electro-mechanical converting element is a piezo-electric element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said energy generating means is an electro-mechanical converting element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plural discharging openings are provided corresponding to the width of a recording medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said partial capping means is belt-shaped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said partial capping means is adapted, in said state of covering a part of the discharging opening, to close the rest of said openings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said partial capping means is adapted, in said state of covering a part of the discharging openings, to uncover the rest of said openings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting the ink discharging state from said discharging openings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said detection means is a photocoupler.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting the ink discharging state from said discharging openings, and control means for covering the discharging opening, for which the discharge failure is detected by said detection means, with said partial capping means and effecting suction by said suction means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an entire cap for covering all of said plural discharging openings.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an entire cap for covering all of said plural discharging openings, and detection means for detecting the ink discharging state from said discharging openings.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said suction means is a pump.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a used ink tube communicating with said suction means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a used ink reservoir communicating with said suction means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
A capping unit comprising: partial capping means for covering a part of plural discharging openings of an ink jet head; and suction means for sucking ink from said part of the discharging openings through said partial capping means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
A capping unit comprising: partial capping means for covering a part of plural discharging openings of an ink jet head; and suction means for sucking ink from said part of the discharging openings through said partial capping means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A capping unit according to claim 27, wherein said partial capping means is composed of a belt.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A capping unit according to claim 27, wherein said partial capping means is adapted, in a state covering said part of the discharging openings, to close the rest of the discharging openings.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
32 words
A capping unit according to claim 27, wherein said partial capping means is adapted, in a state covering said part of the discharging openings, to open the rest of the discharging openings.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A capping unit according to claim 27, further comprising detection means for detecting the ink discharging state from the discharging openings.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
A capping unit according to claim 31, wherein said detection means is a photocoupler.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
A capping unit according to claim 27, further comprising an entire cap for covering all of the plural discharging openings.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
A capping unit according to claim 27, further comprising an entire cap for covering all of the plural discharging openings, and detection means for detecting the ink discharging state from the discharging openings.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
A capping unit according to claim 27, wherein said suction means is a pump.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet head having plural openings for discharging ink; closing means for closing a part of said plural discharging openings; and pressurizing means for pressurizing the ink in said ink jet head, thereby ejecting ink from the discharging openings other than those of said part.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: an ink jet head having plural openings for discharging ink; closing means for closing a part of said plural discharging openings; and pressurizing means for pressurizing the ink in said ink jet head, thereby ejecting ink from the discharging openings other than those of said part.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said ink jet head comprises liquid paths communicating with said discharging openings.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
57 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said liquid paths are provided with energy generating means for generating energy utilized for ink discharging, and the direction of ink discharging from said discharging opening is substantially same as the direction of ink supply to the position of said energy generating means in said liquid path.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said liquid paths are provided with energy generating means for generating energy utilized for ink discharging, and the direction of ink discharging from said discharging opening is different from the direction of ink supply to the position of said energy generating means in said liquid path.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said two directions are substantially perpendicular to each other.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said ink jet head comprises a common liquid chamber communicating with said liquid paths.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said ink jet head comprises a supply pipe communicating with said common liquid chamber.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said supply pipe is provided with a filter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said liquid paths are provided with energy generating means for generating energy utilized for ink discharging.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said energy generating means is an electro-thermal converter element.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said electro-thermal converter element comprises a heat generating resistor and electrodes connected thereto.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said energy generating means is an electro-mechanical converter element.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said electro-mechanical converter element is a piezo-electric element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said energy generating means is adapted to generate thermal energy.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said plural discharging openings are provided corresponding to the width of recording medium.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said closing means is belt-shaped.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising detection means for detecting the ink discharge stat from said discharging openings.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 52, wherein said detection means is a photocoupler.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
53 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising detection means for detecting the ink discharge state from said discharging openings, and control means for covering other discharging openings than the discharging opening for which the discharge failure is detected by said detection means and effecting pressurizing by said pressurizing means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising an entire cap for covering all of said plural discharging openings.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising an entire cap for covering all of said plural discharging openings, and detection means provided in said entire cap for detecting the ink discharge state from said discharging openings.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said pressurizing means is a pump.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising a used ink tube communicating with said closing means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising a used ink reservoir communicating with said closing means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
75 words
A recovery method for an ink jet head comprising: a detection step for detecting the ink discharging state from plural discharging openings of said ink jet head; a partial capping step for covering a part of said plural discharging openings, including the discharging opening for which the discharge failure is detected, with partial capping means; and a partial suction step for sucking ink from said part of the discharging openings through said partial capping means.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
75 words
A recovery method for an ink jet head comprising: a detection step for detecting the ink discharging state from plural discharging openings of said ink jet head; a partial capping step for covering a part of said plural discharging openings, including the discharging opening for which the discharge failure is detected, with partial capping means; and a partial suction step for sucking ink from said part of the discharging openings through said partial capping means.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
A recovery method according to claim 60, further comprising an entire suction step for sucking the ink from all of said plural discharging openings, after said partial suction step.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
42 words
A recovery method according to claim 60, wherein said partial suction step is conducted simultaneously with a partial pressurizing step in which the interior of said ink jet head is pressurized to emit the ink from said part of the discharging openings.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
42 words
A recovery method according to claim 60, wherein said partial suction step is alternately conducted with a partial pressurizing step in which the interior of said ink jet head is pressurized to discharge the ink from said part of the discharging openings.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
81 words
A recovery method for an ink jet bead comprising: a detection step for detecting the ink discharge state from plural discharging openings of said ink jet head; a partial closing step for closing a part of said plural discharging openings, excluding the discharging opening for which the discharge failure is detected, with closing means; and a partial pressurizing step for pressurizing the interior of said ink jet head thereby discharging ink from the discharging openings not closed by said closing means.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
81 words
A recovery method for an ink jet bead comprising: a detection step for detecting the ink discharge state from plural discharging openings of said ink jet head; a partial closing step for closing a part of said plural discharging openings, excluding the discharging opening for which the discharge failure is detected, with closing means; and a partial pressurizing step for pressurizing the interior of said ink jet head thereby discharging ink from the discharging openings not closed by said closing means.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
45 words
A recovery method according to claim 64, further comprising an entire pressurizing step, after said partial pressurizing step, for removing the closing by said closing means and pressurizing the interior of said ink jet head thereby discharging ink from all of the plural discharging openings.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |